South Fayette extends superintendent’s contract

Dr. Bille Rondinelli was reappointed as superintendent of the South Fayette School District at a Jan. 22 meeting of the board of school directors.

The board voted unanimously for Rondinelli’s contract extension, which will be for five years beginning July 1 and continuing through June 30, 2018.

Board member Leonard Fornella said he was “thrilled we have Bille here” and thanked her personally for the work she has done in the district.

Rondinelli said that the reappointment was “very much appreciated” and she is “thrilled to be here.”

According to South Fayette’s Director of Finance Brian Tony, Dr. Rondinelli’s current compensation is $145,315. “This amount may increase annually based on performance evaluations,” he said.

Rondinelli began her term as superintendent Sept. 1, 2009. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Westminster College and her doctorate in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Before coming to South Fayette, she previously worked at the Shaler Area and Pine-Richland school districts.

In other business Jan. 22:

• The board approved a performance contract in the amount of $1,648,000 with Siemens by a vote of 8-0 with board member Alan Vezzi abstaining.

In November, Chris Lawrence of Siemens reviewed ways in which a performance contract could save the district money through energy-efficiency equipment upgrades and potential rebates.

The board voted 6-0 to use Siemens for financing the contract at an interest rate of 2.7 percent. Board members Vezzi, Teresa Burroughs and William Sray abstained. The board chose Siemens because the company’s offer did not include a pre-payment penalty. Director of Finance Brian Tony said that the district has a potential bond refinancing opportunity this year and may be able to pay off the contract with the savings gained from that.

• The board and superintendent recognized three teachers that recently became National Board Certified: Renee Carlini, Justina Perrott and Christine Thomas. The board and superintendent also recognized all three schools in the district. Each building principal was presented with a Keystone award for achieving AYP (adequate yearly progress).

• The board also unanimously approved advertising for bids for one 24 to 30-passenger bus, two 48-passenger buses, and two 72-passenger buses to be used for the 2013-14 school